Method and means for attaching an anode to a continuous conductor



Oct. 23, 1962 A. T. FLOWER ETAL 3,069,259

METHOD AND MEANS FOR ATTACHING AN ANODE TO A CONTINUOUS CONDUCTOR Filed Aug. 29, 1960 1' I 6-J 5 lo 5 "T 3 INVENTORS A a AZCHIBALD T. FLowEz 5 e-PAM. GANSEZ ATTORNEY United States Patent Ofifice 3,060,259 Patented Get. 23, 1962 3,060,259 METHOD AND MEANS FQR ATTACI-HNG AN ANODE TO A (IQNTENUGUS C(DNDUQTGR Archibald Thomas Flower, Glenside, Pa. (Queen St. and Ivy Hill Road, Philadelphia 18, Pa), and Paul Ganser, 108 W. tllearfieid Road, Havertown, Pa.

Filed Aug. 29, 1960, Ser. No. 52,567 3 Claims. (Ql. 174-$4) This invention relates to anodes adapted to be applied to electrical conductors for use in underground conduits and more particularly to a method and means for attaching the anode to a continuous conductor wire without having to break the wire.

It is an object of the invention to provide an anode which may be easily applied to a continuous electrical conductor at spaced intervals throughout its length, the conductor and anode being welded together to insure maximum conductance between the conductor and anode.

A further object of the invention resides in providing an anode having a longitudinal groove or channel throughout its length with a conductor disposed in the groove having a portion of its insulation removed to expose the bare wire which is welded to the anode, the groove being closed by a transparent plastic through which the joint between the conductor and anode may be viewed.

A still further object of the invention resides in a method of attaching an anode to a continuous conductor comprising the steps of forming a groove longitudinally of the anode, inserting the conductor in the groove, welding the conductor and anode together and sealing the groove with a transparent plastic.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following specification.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the improved anode applied to a conductor wire,

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on line 24-2 of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 33 of FIG. 2,

FIG. 4 is a top plan view partly in section,

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of a modified form of joint with the parts in separate relation,

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 5, and,

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of still another modified form of the invention.

Referring to the drawing, wherein for the purpose of illustration, the preferred embodiments of the invention are shown the numeral 5 denotes an anode which is preferably constructed of high silicon iron. The anode is cylindrical shape with its ends 6 tapered to guide the anode over obstructions when pulling the anode through a duct. The anode throughout its length is provided with a longitudinal groove or channel 7 which is substantially U-shape in cross section, with the intermediate portion 8 being of less width and depth to receive the stripped portion 9 of an insulated conductor 10 when inserted in the groove. The portion 9 has the insulation removed before the conductor is inserted in the groove and establishes a snug fit with the reduced portion 8 of the groove. After the conductor is inserted in the groove the bare portion 9 of the conductor is welded to the anode by a stainless steel weld 10 which establishes maximum conductance between the conductor and anode. A transparent liquid epoxy resin 11 is poured into the groove to incapsulate the conductor and weld and completely fills the groove to seal the conductor therein. The ends of the groove may be dammed in any suitable manner while pouring the liquid epoxy in the groove. After the plastic sets its transparency permits the conductor and joint to be viewed.

A modified form of joint between the anode and conductor is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 where a Welded joint is not feasible. In this form of joint a wedge block 12 is placed in the groove 7 above the bare portion 9 of the conductor and is driven downwardly in the groove to force the bare portion 9 into conductive engagement with the anode. After insertion of the wedge the groove is closed by the epoxy resin.

As shown in FIG. 7 the tapered ends of the anode may be replaced with tapered polyethylene plugs 13 which are inserted in sockets 14 formed in the ends of the anode. This type of plug is desirable where the anode is employed for transmission of high electrical amperage.

In use, when it is desired to mount a series of anodes on a continuous conductor wire, the insulation is stripped from the conductor at the points where it is desired to apply the anodes. The conductor is pressed into the groove 7 of the anode with the bare portion 9 seated in the reduced portion 8 of the groove and then the bare portion is welded to the anode to establish maximum conductance between the conductor and anode. After welding the conductor to the anode the groove is completely closed by a transparent plastic material which permits the joint to be viewed at all times. Thus, it is seen the anodes may be easily and quickly applied to a conductor wire and when applied will remain fixed on the conductor and will not be displaced therefrom while the conductor is being drawn through a duct.

We claim:

1. An anode for attachment to a continuous insulated conductor wire comprising an elongated solid anode body having a channel in the side thereof extending the length of the body, said channel having a width and depth sufiicient to receive an insulated conductor wire therein to extend axially of the body, with a portion of the channel intermediate its ends being of less width and depth, an insulated conductor wire disposed in said channel having a portion of its insulation removed to expose the bare wire for contact with the portion of the channel of reduced width and depth, means establishing fixed connection between the bare wire of the conductor and said anodic body, and a plastic material filling the channel of said body in covering relation to said conductor wire.

2. An anode for attachment to a continuous insulated conductor wire as described in claim 1 wherein the plastic material filling said channel is transparent.

3. The method of attaching an anode to a continuous insulated conductor wire comprising the steps of forming a longitudinal channel in the side of the anode of a width and depth sutficient to receive the conductor wire to position the Wire axially of the anode and having a portion of the channel intermediate its ends of reduced width and depth, stripping a portion of the insulation from said conductor wire to expose the bare wire, inserting the conductor wire in the channel of the anode with the bare wire seated in the portion of reduced width and depth, welding the bare wire and anode together and filling the channel with a transparent plastic material.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 433,920 Wiley et al. Aug. 5, 1890 653,033 Mclntire July 3, 1900 2,876,190 Oliver Mar. 3, 1959 2,926,128 Flower Feb. 23, 1960 2,958,723 Logan et a1. Nov. 1, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS i 712,774 Great Britain July 28, 1954 820,421 Great Britain Sept. 23, 1959 

